Galloway Station could close, move to new location

Apr. 9, 2013

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A well-known, out-of-the-way Springfield restaurant may close at the end of the month and move to a new location, as a result of a dispute with the owner of the building.

The lease for Galloway Station Bar and Grill, located at 4211 S. Lone Pine Ave. in southeast Springfield, is up at the end of this month. The building’s owner says he simply wants the restaurant to repair what he says are damages to the floor caused by heavy coolers, while the restaurant’s general manager says negotiations have been “unreasonable,” and that there’s more to it than that.

And both sides agree that it may lead to the restaurant located along the Galloway Creek Greenway moving out.

“At this moment, I can’t guarantee we’ll be here past May 1st,” said John Tsahiridis, the restaurant’s general manager.

Ron McCracken, the building’s owner, said that the current lease says that he is responsible for maintaining the foundation and building, but that he has told the restaurant for years that it will be responsible for fixing the floor — a cost that he estimated would be between $4,000 and $5,000.

“They have not fixed the floor, so I can’t offer them the lease,” he said. “It’s my building, so I care about it.”

Tsahiridis disputed the idea that there is anything significantly wrong with the restaurant’s floor.

“This is normal wear and tear for any kind of restaurant,” he said.

McCracken says that he will offer the restaurant a new lease if they fix the floor. Tsahiridis says they’ve tried to agree to fix that, but McCracken hasn’t put the agreement in writing.

The restaurant went public about its uncertain future Tuesday afternoon, when it posted a message on its Facebook page. Tsahiridis said the restaurant’s owners — Klaus and Emi Greinke — have already looked at possible new locations but haven’t signed a contract yet.

The Greinkes have owned the restaurant since 2003, Tsahiridis said, but the Galloway Station name dates back to 1995, and Gooch’s Place served up drinks at the spot before that.

McCracken said that he’ll decide between leasing to another client or selling the building if the two sides don’t come to an agreement — but that he’s a fan of the establishment.

“I think it’s a perfect spot for what they’re doing there, and I hate to see them go,” he said.